BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
The Air Force Reserve's 940th Air Refueling Wing here announced the selection of a new wing command chief today.
Senior Master Sgt. Jason B. Henderson, 940th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Beef Office non-commissioned officer in-charge, was selected by a board of seven officers and senior NCOs who interviewed seven candidates Aug. 8, 2008 for the wing's top enlisted position.
"I'm very pleased with the selection of Sergeant Henderson as our new wing command chief," said Col. Jeffrey "Sal" Mineo, Det. 2 commander, future wing commander, and board president. "The caliber of people to select from was tremendous and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who applied. With full conviction, I'm very confident we picked the right person for the job."
The current wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Armstrong, officially retires Oct. 9, after 27 years of service. His retirement ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 14. The chief has been the wing's top enlisted advisor since January 2003.
"This is a great wing with outstanding Airmen," Chief Armstrong said. "We've picked one of our own to help lead our enlisted force, and I know Sergeant Henderson will do a great job."
Sergeant Henderson entered the Air Force in 1989 and was assigned to the 940th as an electrician with the civil engineers. He will attend the Chief's Orientation Course at Robins AFB, Ga. prior to pinning on his new stripe and command chief star.
"I'm very excited and honored," Sergeant Henderson said of being selected as the new command chief. "Chief Armstrong is leaving a big legacy for me to follow; I have big shoes to fill."
The wing command chief is responsible for advising the commander, vice commander and wing staff on matters affecting the health, welfare, and morale of over 800 enlisted members within the wing. The chief helps solve problems and quality of life issues impacting the enlisted force and their dependents. The command chief also advocates and improves enlisted awards and recognition programs, professional military education, and the overall well being of the enlisted force.
A new command chief is just one of many recent changes at the 940th. The wing is currently in the midst of a mission change from aerial refueling, a 31-year tradition, to reconnaissance and command and control missions, as directed by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.
"This is a great time to be involved with the wing," Sergeant Henderson said. "Change is actually a good thing. My job will be to help our enlisted people travel successfully through all of these changes."